Joe’s Jab – Issue 49
Joe ‘The Moroccan Machine’ Elfidh – a two-weight Central Area title contender who shared the ring with English, British, Commonwealth and World champions – is now an established promoter with regular shows in the South East, Yorkshire and East Midlands with an ever-expanding roster of champions.
The co-owner of Boxing Connected takes time out every week to write a column exclusive to BBN:
Expansion
Although boxing was brought to a standstill, I have been working away behind the scenes on developing the Boxing Connected brand further. So, despite the inactivity, Boxing Connected is now opening up in new areas, starting in Doncaster.
We are recruiting new gyms and managers, all with a view to putting on more shows in new areas to get the fighters fighting again.
JE Promotions evolved into Boxing Connected when I first started working with Scott Calow in Nottingham. We combined forces to put on shows at the Harvey Hadden Sports Village, with Ekow Essuman topping the bills.
We have since expanded to Bedfordshire, where we have hosted shows in Luton and Dunstable, and now Doncaster where we introduced our very first show in the area in February this year at the Holiday Inn in Warmsworth.
We are now covering the South East of England, Nottingham, Doncaster and the East Midlands, but we are not stopping there, there’s potential to work with gyms and managers from all over the UK.
In terms of putting on shows, as a small hall promoter, it’s been non-existent during the pandemic. I know all my boys are chomping at the bit to fight and get back in that ring, but it just can’t be done right now.
We’re lucky to break even on ticket sales on a normal show, so it’s going to be harder than ever now, but we’ll risk it to get the boys back out.
I think with Christmas coming up and the inevitable flu season, things won’t go back to normal until around April next year, realistically.
The Show Must Go On
The boys are all back in training, some of my fighters have been in the gym for over two months already.
I have got a few things taking shape in November. We are looking at putting on a show in Worksop, but it’s not confirmed yet, we have a date secured, but it’s all pending on the government’s guidelines at the time.
We are aiming to go back to the North Notts Arena again. The venue holds 2,000, so if the rules state that we are allowed a 30% capacity, then we could potentially put on a five-fight show.
Currently looking at the last Saturday in November, but things could change overnight, especially with the winter months and flu season approaching, but fingers crossed that we are in a position to do something. The show will barely break even but it’s about getting the boys fighting and nothing more.
Doncaster Watch
I made the trip up to Tom Gilbert’s TG Boxing Gym in Skellow, Doncaster, very recently to check in on all the boys and tell them to get ready for a fight date.
Heavyweight Mark Bennett (7-1, 1KO) is raring to go, he’s an old school, throwback fighter who just wants to fight, nothing more, and he’ll fight anyone. He reached the Ultimate Boxxer heavyweights final against Nick Webb, but lost on points over the three rounds. That’s a fight he wants again, I’d happily make the fight with Nick Webb but let’s do it over 10-rounds next time.
We have had talks about Fabio Wardley and most recently got offered Alen Babic, but always with little notice. Mark is no journeyman, he’s not turning up to fight at the drop of a hat, he’s coming to win, which means he will prepare properly. We always get a phone call with just a couple of weeks notice and that’s not acceptable. When he’s fit, he’s a force.
Cameron Kaihau (4-0) was looking red hot in training when I was watching him. Trained by his dad, Si, Cameron is 27 from Warmsworth and operates at super-welterweight.
England amateur representative, Curtis Jay, is all set and ready to go for his pro debut. It was meant to happen in April, but didn’t for obvious reasons. Curtis is an ABA finalist and trains at TG Boxing Gym with Tom Gilbert.
Kyle Fox (7-1) has got unfinished business with Anthony Tomlinson (12-0, 7KOs). They fought for the Central Area welterweight title in May 2019, which ended in a fifth-round stoppage defeat for Fox, but he’s ready for revenge.
There’s a super-featherweight with bundles of potential in Scott’s gym – Joe Hughes, who is definitely one to watch.
There’s a load of good kids in the gym all getting ready right now, so it’s absolutely buzzing!
Kent Watch
‘Go-Getter’ Grant Dennis (15-2, 3KOs) has been offered a fight in Belarus – contract pending from Al Siesta. If all goes to plan, he will be taking on a world-ranked fighter. Grant is a former Southern Area middleweight champion, who won the belt in the champion’s backyard in Brighton. He challenged for the English title, from the away corner again, against Elliot Matthews (21-0-1, 9KOs) but was robbed of the decision. He also reached the Ultimate Boxxer middleweights final against Derrick Osaze (10-0, 2KOs), but a flash knockdown in the third round cost him the decision. He is prepared to fight against the odds yet again from the opposing corner.
Super-middleweight Charlie Shane (9-0), welterweight Jimmy Peckham (1-0) and Ultimate Boxxer super-welterweight finalist Lenny Fuller (10-1, 1KO) are all in the gym plodding away. They have been back training at Kent Gloves with trainers Lee Page and Chris Lamontagne for many weeks now. The trainers are putting in so much time with them to get them fight fit.
They are all ready to go right now, so if there’s a fight to be taken then we’ll take it.
Lenny Fuller recently mentioned Southern Area welterweight champion Sam Gilley in an interview with British Boxing News because he’s got the potential to beat all these kids. When there’s a decent offer put down, he’ll fight anyone. I already think he’s above Southern Area level at welterweight.
There’s been some exciting developments in Sheerness, Kent. Sam Latham has opened up a new gym in Queenborough, which is essentially new premises for the old Invicta Gym.
There’s potential for a boxing boom in the area because there’s a load of fighters there. A lot of the boys in that area are brought up with boxing, they’re rough and ready, and they should be visiting the new gym to put those skills to good use in the right environment.
Ray Askew had the Invicta Gym for years but has decided to take a bit of a back step, he will always be involved but he has officially announced his semi-retirement.
He trained me throughout my entire pro career during 2007-2013, and even in my amateur days. He never took credit for it because he didn’t have his trainer’s license until the last couple of fights of my career, but he trained my throughout and was responsible for all my successes.
I hope he enjoys a bit of a rest after a lifetime in boxing, but I would really like to see him get his manager’s licence because his knowledge is invaluable.
Follow Boxing Connected on Facebook @BoxingConnected
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News